JAD
New member
I've been a ham for a few years now and running CB's even longer. I went with permanent mounts on my Jeep Rubicon (back in 2004). But every other vehicle I've owned I used strictly magnetic mounts.
My transmission and reception are always very good in the groups I run with. I frequently find I'm able to get out (transmit and be received) from locations no one else is able to. When I'm running both CB and short wave I will generally sacrifice CB location on my roof top and give priority to locating the short wave antenna on the roof for best performance. Then I move the CB as far away as possible (e.g. the other corner) in order to get best performance in best radio but at the same time minimizing any possible interference between the two.
I've always bought high quality antennas with the rule of thumb being put your money in the best antenna and the radio will generally take care of itself. I am not suggesting going cheap on your radio equipment but if you're on a limited budget don't scrimp on the quality of your antenna.
I recognize that many of you are probably thinking you don't want the aggravation of dragging an antenna out everytime you are going somewhere. The convenience of just folding up or down is definitely appealing. But two thoughts for you.
1) You can go with a quality mag mount base with a threaded connection on top. Then you buy a CB or short wave only antenna with a matching mount for screwing in. You can permanently route the wiring and leave the magnet in place full time. When you want to install the antenna it is a fairly convenient screw in. And the antenna can easily be stored on board somewhere.
2) Even with a folding mount you still have to get out and put it down for entering the garage or pulling it up when needing to use it.
Just an alternative that I've had success using (but also with acknowledged limitations).
My transmission and reception are always very good in the groups I run with. I frequently find I'm able to get out (transmit and be received) from locations no one else is able to. When I'm running both CB and short wave I will generally sacrifice CB location on my roof top and give priority to locating the short wave antenna on the roof for best performance. Then I move the CB as far away as possible (e.g. the other corner) in order to get best performance in best radio but at the same time minimizing any possible interference between the two.
I've always bought high quality antennas with the rule of thumb being put your money in the best antenna and the radio will generally take care of itself. I am not suggesting going cheap on your radio equipment but if you're on a limited budget don't scrimp on the quality of your antenna.
I recognize that many of you are probably thinking you don't want the aggravation of dragging an antenna out everytime you are going somewhere. The convenience of just folding up or down is definitely appealing. But two thoughts for you.
1) You can go with a quality mag mount base with a threaded connection on top. Then you buy a CB or short wave only antenna with a matching mount for screwing in. You can permanently route the wiring and leave the magnet in place full time. When you want to install the antenna it is a fairly convenient screw in. And the antenna can easily be stored on board somewhere.
2) Even with a folding mount you still have to get out and put it down for entering the garage or pulling it up when needing to use it.
Just an alternative that I've had success using (but also with acknowledged limitations).
Last edited:
